Systems and methods for data routing management

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for data routing management are disclosed. A method can comprise a system receiving a request directed to an address. The system can determine performance capabilities of a first logical grouping of computing devices, wherein the first logical grouping of computing devices share the address. The system can determine whether at least one computing device of the first logical grouping of computing devices can receive the request. If at least one computing device of the first logical grouping of computing devices can receive the request, the request can be transmitted to the at least one computing device of the first logical grouping of computing devices. If at least one computing device of the first logical grouping of computing devices cannot receive the request, the request can be transmitted to a second logical grouping of computing devices that share the address.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/637,566, filed Jun. 29, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/532,276, filed Nov. 4, 2014, and granted as U.S.Pat. No. 9,736,248 on Aug. 15, 2017, which is herein incorporated byreference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

In a data routing system, computing devices utilize one or morecommunication networks to exchange data. As an example, twocommunication processing systems are often paired to receive and routean incoming communication request, a failure by one of the pair ofcommunication processing system can result in a communications failure.For these and other types of systems and networks, more efficient datarouting management mechanisms are needed.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive, as claimed. In an aspect, provided aresignaling systems and methods that provide for one or more of,geographic redundancy, cluster redundancy, global single signalingaddress scopes, cluster intelligence, and node awareness.

Provided are methods and systems for data routing management. In anaspect, a communication processing system can receive a communicationrequest directed to an address that is shared by a first logicalgrouping of computing devices. The communication processing system candetermine one or more performance capabilities of the first logicalgrouping of computing devices that share the address. The communicationprocessing system can determine whether at least one computing device ofthe first logical grouping of computing devices can receive thecommunication request based on the determined one or more performancecapabilities. If at least one computing device of the first logicalgrouping of computing devices can receive the communication request, thecommunication request can be transmitted to the at least one computingdevice of the first logical grouping of computing devices. If at leastone computing device of the first logical grouping of computing devicescannot receive the communication request, the communication request canbe transmitted to a second logical grouping of computing devices thatshare the address.

In an aspect, an example method can comprise a computing device in afirst logical grouping of logical devices receiving a communicationrequest directed to an address. The computing device can determine oneor more performance capabilities of a first logical grouping ofcomputing devices. The first logical grouping of computing devices canshare the address and the computing devices can each be associated withrespective device identifiers (e.g., media access control addresses).The computing device can determine at least one computing device of thefirst logical grouping of computing devices to receive the communicationrequest based on the determined one or more performance capabilities.The computing device can transmit the communication request to thedetermined at least one computing device according to the respectivedevice identifier of the determined at least one computing device.

In another aspect, an example system can comprise a first logicalgrouping of computing devices, a communication processing system, and acommunication management system. In an aspect, the first logicalgrouping of computing devices can share an address, and each computingdevice of the first logical grouping of computing devices can beassociated with a respective device identifier and performance metrics.In an aspect, the communication processing system can be coupled to thefirst logical grouping of computing devices. The communicationprocessing system can be configured for receiving a communicationrequest directed to the address shared by the first logical grouping ofcomputing devices. The communication processing system can determine oneor more performance capabilities of the first logical grouping ofcomputing devices. The communication processing system can determinewhether at least one computing device of the first logical grouping ofcomputing devices can receive the communication request based on thedetermined one or more performance capabilities. Specifically, if atleast one computing device of the first logical grouping of computingdevices can receive the communication request, the communication requestcan be transmitted to the at least one computing device of the firstlogical grouping of computing devices. If at least one computing deviceof the first logical grouping of computing devices cannot receive thecommunication request, the communication request can be transmitted to asecond logical grouping of computing devices that share the address. Inan aspect, the communication management system can be connected to thefirst logical grouping of computing devices and the communicationprocessing system. The communication management system can be configuredfor receiving the performance metrics of the first logical grouping ofcomputing devices, and updating the one or more performance capabilitiesof the first logical grouping of computing devices based on theperformance metrics.

Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows or may be learned by practice. The advantages will be realizedand attained by means of the elements and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example logic;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating example logic;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary system;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary system;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary system in which the presentmethods and systems can operate;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example method; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing device inwhich the present methods and systems can operate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present methods and systems are disclosed and described, itis to be understood that the methods and systems are not limited tospecific methods, specific components, or to particular implementations.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, andindependently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used ina restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein,and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions,groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specificreference of each various individual and collective combinations andpermutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each isspecifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods andsystems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, butnot limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a varietyof additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each ofthese additional steps can be performed with any specific embodiment orcombination of embodiments of the disclosed methods.

The present methods and systems may be understood more readily byreference to the following detailed description and the examplesincluded therein and to the Figures and their previous and followingdescription.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the methods andsystems may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software andhardware aspects. Furthermore, the methods and systems may take the formof a computer program product on a computer-readable storage mediumhaving computer-readable program instructions (e.g., computer software)embodied in the storage medium. More particularly, the present methodsand systems may take the form of web-implemented computer software. Anysuitable computer-readable storage medium may be utilized including harddisks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, flash memory internal orremovable, or magnetic storage devices.

Embodiments of the methods and systems are described below withreference to block diagrams and flowchart illustrations of methods,systems, apparatuses and computer program products. It will beunderstood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, respectively, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may be loadedonto a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions which execute on the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus create a means for implementing the functionsspecified in the flowchart block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable memory that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablememory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readableinstructions for implementing the function specified in the flowchartblock or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loadedonto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or otherprogrammable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process suchthat the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in theflowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrationssupport combinations of means for performing the specified functions,combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and programinstruction means for performing the specified functions. It will alsobe understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams andflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by special purposehardware-based computer systems that perform the specified functions orsteps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computerinstructions.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for data routingmanagement. In one aspect of the disclosure, a system can be configuredto provide services, such as network-related services to a user device.It should be noted the present disclosure can be applicable in anynetwork environment employing a computing device, a server, a userdevice or other network entity that is involved in the management ofcommunication sessions between devices on a network. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that present methods may be used in varioustypes of networks and systems that employ both digital and analogequipment. One skilled in the art will appreciate that provided hereinis a functional description and that the respective functions can beperformed by software, hardware, or a combination of software andhardware.

By implementing the disclosed systems and methods, a user device cantransmit a communication request to a first logical grouping ofcomputing devices via connecting to a single address (e.g., sharedcommon address). A communication management system and a communicationprocessing system can enable the communication request to be routed tocomputing devices available for processing the communication request. Assuch, if one computing device of the first logical grouping of computingdevices is not available to receive the communication request, thecommunication request can be transferred to another computing device inthe first logical grouping of computing devices that is available forprocessing the communication request. Alternatively, the communicationrequest can be transferred to a second logical grouping of computingdevices. In an aspect, each of the plurality of devices can bedistinguished by their respective device identifiers which can be uniqueto each computing device (e.g., MAC addresses). The disclosed systemsand methods can be used for communication requests such as internettelephone calls (e.g., VoIP), multimedia access and distribution, andmultimedia conferences and presentations. In an aspect, thecommunication request can be distributed across multiple communicationmanagement systems, while maintaining appearance of a single IP address(e.g., to the requesting device, to the communication managementsystems, to other devices in the network). The disclosed methods andsystem can enable dynamic swapping between the multiple communicationmanagement systems for routing data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system. The system canimplement a next generation cloud voice architecture 101. For example,the present methods and systems can comprise a cloud based sessioninitiation protocol (SIP) signaling architecture that will allow for thedeployment of session managers (e.g., SIP signaling servers) in a cloudcomputing environment, such as an OpenStack environment. In an aspect,the present methods and systems can be configured for geographicredundancy, cluster redundancy, global single signaling address scopes,cluster intelligence (e.g., Node Awareness), and/or the like asdescribed further herein.

In an aspect, the present methods and systems can be configured toprovide geographic redundancy. The system can be configured to supportmultiple session manager clusters 102 a,b,c (e.g., or session managerfarms) such that should an outage make the entire cluster 102 aunavailable, secondary clusters 102 b and/or tertiary clusters 102 c canprocess incoming and outgoing requests. As an example, a session managercluster can comprise one or more routers, one or more session switches,one or more session managers (e.g., communication server, SIP server),and/or the like. For example, the session manager clusters 102 a,b,c canbe configured to communicate across a network using various protocolssuch as Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS), Open Shortest Path First(OSPF) protocol, Internet Protocol (IP), and/or the like. For example,session manager clusters 102 a,b,c can communicate with other sessionmanager clusters 102 a,b,c over the network via MPLS, OSPF, InternetProtocol (IP), and/or the like. As described further herein, sessionmanager clusters 102 a,b,c can communicate performance metrics, hand offcall sessions, and/or perform other communication using the network.Though various protocols and values are shown in FIG. 1, it should beunderstood that the present methods and systems are not limited to suchprotocols and values but can be implemented using other protocols andvalues.

In an aspect, the present methods and systems can be configured toprovide cluster redundancy. For example, each session manager cluster102 a,b,c can be configured to share a single or multiple IP addressscopes such that devices signaling to the cluster can use only a singlesignaling IP address for communication to the cluster. The sessionmanager clusters 102 a,b,c can be configured to support healthstatistics, performance statistics, and/or utilization statistics pernode within the cluster and share this information with one or more (oreach) node within a session manager cluster. One or more (or each)session manager cluster 102 a,b,c can be configured to collect themetrics from one or more (or each) node within the session managercluster and share this aggregate information with other clusters.

In an aspect, the present methods and systems can provide globalsignaling address scopes. For example, the system can be configured withcustomer 104 a,b,c facing signaling IP addresses that are global innature. This configuration can be accomplished with border gatewayprotocol (BGP) and/or autonomous systems path (AS-Path) prependingadvertisements to customers. Each customer 104 a,b,c can be associatedwith a preferred session manager cluster 102 a to which the customerwill signal to as well as secondary session manager clusters 102 band/or tertiary session manager clusters 102 c. A customer 104 a,b,c mayhave two or more session manager clusters 102 a,b,c to which thecustomer signals to for geographic preference of call termination intothe network or termination into the network.

In an aspect, the present methods and systems can be implemented, atleast in part, at Layer 2 (e.g., the data link layer) of the OpenSystems Interconnection Reference Model (OSI model). Layer 2 options cancomprise 802.1Q VLAN tagging and Link Aggregation Control Protocol801.AX. The latter can bond a single IP address to multiple physicalinterfaces on a single system for port redundancy and increasethroughput. The system can be configured to span the LAG across multiplesystems such that each system can accept incoming IP traffic,specifically SIP traffic, on any member systems within the node sessionmanager cluster 102 a,b,c. The system can be configured to keep activeIP sessions active. Based on node performance metrics, the node handlingthe active sessions can be configured to communicate that the node cantake no more traffic or that the node desires to offload traffic toanother node. For example, the system can comprise a one or more sessionswitches (e.g., downstream switch) configured to store multiple MACaddresses in a MAC table and track active IP sessions for the MACaddresses. For example, each of the session manager clusters 102 a,b,ccan comprise a session switch. As another example, a session switch canbe utilized by multiple session manager clusters 102 a,b,c. The MACtable or tables can be configured to classify MAC address as GREEN,YELLOW, or RED or other similar classification system. For example,GREEN can designate that the device associated with a MAC address isavailable for receiving new IP sessions. YELLOW can indicate that thedevice associated with a MAC address can only pass existing sessions.RED can indicate that all sessions being handled by a device are to betransitioned to another MAC address. The designator in this case wouldbe the active node or standby node within the session manager cluster.

In an aspect, the present methods and systems can be implemented, atleast in part, at Layer 3 (e.g., network layer) and/or Layer 7 (e.g.,application layer) of the OSI model. The session switch for a sessionmanager cluster 102 a,b,c can be configured to be layer 3 and/or layer 7aware. For example, a SIP call can have multiple messages which may notbe tracked simply by a session, so when a node determines to offloadcalls, or stop receiving new calls, the session switch can be configuredto determine the call state. In an aspect, the session switch can beconfigured with layer 2 functionality and call awareness. The sessionswitch may not be an Ethernet switch but rather a server configuredserve the sessions to the session manager cluster 102 a,b,c and receivemessages from the nodes within the session manager cluster as to whichMAC addresses are identified as GREEN, YELLOW, or RED. At a minimum, thesystem can be configured to track and associate the Call ID with the MACaddress tables.

For redundancy, session switches can be deployed in pairs. In thisconfiguration, the globally advertised signaling IP or IPs can beassigned to each session switch. The uplink can be a direct uplink to aUR which can be configured with weighted static routes. If the preferredroute interface goes down, the secondary session switch can beconfigured to receive the inbound sessions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating example logic of a sessionswitch. It should be noted that for purposes of illustration examplevalues are shown in FIG. 2, but the present methods and systems are notlimited to these example values. At block 202, the session switch canreceive a SIP communication. The session switch can retrieve, request,lookup other otherwise determine a Call ID in a session table based onthe SIP communication. The session switch can determine if the call is anew call. If the call is not a new call, then the SIP communication canbe forwarded to a MAC address found in session table. If the call is anew call, the session switch can proceed to block 204. At block 204, thesession switch can determine to which MAC addresses the call should beforwarded.

At block 206, a green table is shown with MAC address associated with agreen status. The green table can be updated by the active sessionmanager. The session switch can choose the first MAC address in the listof the green table. If the device associated with the first MAC addresson the list is not responsive, the session switch can then try the nextMAC address and so on.

At block 208, an example session table is shown. For example the sessiontable can comprise session identifiers (ID) associated with MACaddresses. It should be noted that tabs were used to separate values forreadability purposes. Actual formatting in the session table may bedifferent.

In an aspect, the present methods and systems can be configured withcluster intelligence. Each cluster of session managers will haveknowledge of the cluster's own key performance indicators (KPIs), suchas CPU Utilization, available RAM, available disk space, total sessions,CPS, Layer 2 errors, Layer 3 errors, and/or the like. Additional metricsutilized by the present methods and systems. The session managers cancomprise a table of KPIs for each node within the session manger'scluster. The current active node can be configured to make decisions onwhich node to offload new calls to when node decides the node is nolonger available. The current active node can select a node to offloadnew calls to pre-defined preferred node or nodes, based on the mostpreferable node by evaluating each KPI table for each node, and/or othersimilar approaches. For example, this evaluation can be performed eachtime the heartbeat that carries the KPIs to each other node. Both, theactive and standby node can be configured to run the algorithm,determine the successors, and place this information in their respectivenode Performance Metric (PM) tables.

The session manager cluster can be configured to exchange heartbeatinformation (e.g., regular communication of information) with one ormore (or each) other clusters. The nodes compiling the remote and localcluster KPIs can be the active nodes and/or standby nodes. Keeping trackof cluster health across clusters enables each cluster to determine towhich cluster offloaded calls can be sent for load balancing. The KPIsused in the algorithm can be configured as percentage based metricsbased on total available resources and predefined integers for each KPI.This configuration can be utilized for inter-cluster load balancing aswell as intra-cluster load balancing.

Each node within a cluster can be configured with access to all routes,SIP manipulation rules, SDP manipulation rules, and/or the like. Thedatabase can be internal or external to the node, but it is preferredthat the database be external, but local to each cluster and be deployedin a redundant fashion.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating example logic of a sessionmanager (e.g., a node of the session manager cluster). It should benoted that for purposes of illustration example values are shown in FIG.3, but the present methods and systems are not limited to these examplevalues. At block 302, a SIP communication (e.g., call) can arrive at asession manager. The session manager can increase the current call countin a node PM table 303. The node PM table can comprise values forconcurrent calls, CSP, RAM, RAM utilization, layer 2 errors, layer 3errors, and/or the like. At block 304, the session manager can determinewhether a threshold has been met based on information stored in a nodethreshold table 305. For example, the node threshold table 305 cancomprise thresholds that correspond to values of the node PM table 302.Example thresholds can comprise concurrent calls, CSP, RAM, RAMutilization, layer 2 errors, layer 3 errors, and/or the like. At block306, SIP communication can be processed. At step 308, the session switchcan update one or more additional tables. For example, the sessionswitch can update the green table 310, yellow table 312, and/or redtable 314. For example, a MAC address can be removed from the green 310table and added to the yellow table 312.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example data routingmanagement system according to one or more aspects of the presentdisclosure. As an example, the system can comprise a plurality of userdevices 402 a,b,c,d, a grouping of a plurality of computing devices 404a,b,c,d, a communication processing system 403, and a communicationmanagement system 405. As an example, the plurality of computing devices404 a,b,c,d, communication processing system 403 and/or communicationmanagement system 405 can comprise the session switch, session manager,and/or the like described with FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. In an aspect,the grouping of computing devices can be a logical grouping. In someimplementations the communication management system 405 and/orcommunication processing system 403 can be implemented one or more ofthe plurality of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d.

The logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d can be connectedvia the network 406 and share one address (e.g., IP address). Forexample, the sharing of the address can be accomplished by associating(e.g., in a routing table or other database or table) each of thecomputing devices 404 a,b,c,d in the logical group of computing deviceswith the address. The sharing of the address can be accomplished by amanagement device, such as the communication management system 405configured to process communication requests associated with an addressby selectively sending requests associated with a an address to one ormore of the computing devices 404 a,b,c,d in the logical group ofcomputing devices. In another aspect, sharing the address can beaccomplished by use of labeling and/or other network routing technique.In another aspect, sharing an address can comprise appearing to sharethe same address. For example, communication messages sent to theaddress can appear (e.g., from the perspective of the device sending themessage, from the perspective of the communication management system405, from the perspective of the communication processing system 403) tobe directed to the address, received and processed by a single device atthe address (e.g., though multiple different devices may receive and/orprocess messages and/or communications requets directed to the addressduring the same communication session), and/or the like. As an example,sharing an address can be achieved by border gateway protocol (BGP) andautonomous systems (AS) path. In one aspect, a logical group ofcomputing devices can share an address with one or more other logicalgroups of computing devices.

As a further example, sharing the address can be accomplished asfollows. The communication processing system 403 can be configured toreceive an inbound communication request (e.g., IP communicationrequest) from a user device 402. The communication processing system 403can then remove a header (e.g., address header, IP header) in theinbound communication request and forward a data packet in the inboundcommunication request (e.g., Ethernet packet) to an appropriate port ofa communication management system (e.g., communication management system405) according to one or more performance capabilities (e.g.,availability) of the plurality of computing devices (e.g., computingdevice 404 a) connected to the communication management system (e.g.,405).

In an aspect, each computing device of the logical grouping of computingdevices 404 a,b,c,d can be associated with a respective deviceidentifier. As an example, a device identifier can comprise anidentifier that uniquely identifies a computing device (e.g., a mediaaccess control (MAC) address).

As an example, in a telephone communication system, user devices 402,such as IP phones 402 a, personal computers (PCs) 402 b, personal dataassistants (PDAs) 402 c, and a SIP client 402 d, can be configured tocommunicate with a communication processing system 403. For example,user devices 402 a,b,c,d can transmit a communication request to thecommunication processing system 403. The communication request can bedirected to the logical grouping of computing devices according to theaddress (e.g., IP address) that the logical grouping of computingdevices share. The communication request can be transmitted via asignaling communications protocol such as session initiation protocol(SIP). Although illustrated in a cluster, user devices 402 a,b,c,d canbe mobile or stationary, and located throughout a network. The userdevices 402 a,b,c,d can comprise IP phones, PSTN phones, SIP softclients, residential voice gateways, other IP clients, such as Skype,MSN Messenger, office communicator, PDAs, VoIP enabled personalcomputers or a VoIP adapter, and the like.

In an aspect, the communication processing system 403 can serve as anedge server between user devices 402 a,b,c,d and the logical grouping ofcomputing devices 404 a,b,c,d. In an aspect, the communicationprocessing system 403 can be on the border between a communicationservice provider and its user devices (e.g., provide a user networkinterface (UNI)). In another aspect, the communication processing system403 can be on the border between two communication service providers(e.g., provide network-to-network interface (NNI)). As an example, thecommunication processing system 403 can be employed as an NNI when acommunication session requestor uses a different communication servicethan the user devices being requested for a communication session. Inanother aspect, in an IP-multimedia subsystem (IMS) network, thecommunication processing system 403 can provide call session control andborder gateway functions at UNI and NNI points. In another aspect, thecommunication processing system 403 can also be used to perform atopology-hiding function to prevent user devices or other communicationservice providers from learning details about how a network (e.g.,network 406) is configured or how communications placed through thenetwork are routed.

In an aspect, the communication processing system 403 can be associatedwith a database 414. The database 414 can comprise one or moreperformance capabilities of the logical grouping of computing devices404 a,b,c,d. For example, the database 414 can comprise a list ofcomputing devices within the network 406 available for processing thecommunication request, a list of computing devices available for routingthe communication request to a computing device available for processingthe communication request, and a list of computing devices not availablefor processing or routing the communication request.

In an aspect, the logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d canbe configured to process and/or route a communication request receivedvia the communication processing system 403. In an aspect, the logicalgrouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d can comprise respectivedatabases 413 a,b,c,d. The database 413 a,b,c,d can store performancemetrics and predefined performance thresholds for the respectivecomputing devices 404 a,b,c,d. Performance metrics can be compared withthe predefined performance thresholds. When a performance threshold isexceeded, one or more performance capabilities of a computing device canbe change from one category to another category.

In an aspect, the logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d cancomprise one or more communication protocol servers. The logicalgrouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d can operate as a server (aproxy server, a communication management server, an application server,etc.), a gateway node (a session border controller (SBC), a mediagateway control function ((MGCF), etc.), or a data management unit(e.g., an intelligent routing database (IRDB)). In an aspect, thelogical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d can be used toestablish mutually acceptable administrative procedures betweendifferent networks. Some example of networks and systems include apublic switched telephone network (PSTN) system, a public land mobilenetwork (PLMN) system, wireless distribution systems, wired or cabledistribution systems, coaxial cable distribution systems, ultra highfrequency (UHF) or very high frequency (VHF) radio frequency systems,satellite or other extra-terrestrial systems, cellular distributionsystems, power-line broadcast systems, fiber optic networks, and anycombinations of these systems and/or networks. Accordingly, thecomputing devices 404 a,b,c,d can comprise devices, such as protocoltranslators, impedance matching devices, rate converters, faultisolators, and/or signal translators as necessary to provide systeminteroperability.

The communication management system 405 can be configured to receive theperformance metrics of the logical grouping of computing devices 404a,b,c,d. In an aspect, the performance metrics can comprise one or moreperformance metrics for each individual computing device, statisticalperformance metrics for each individual computing device, historicalperformance metrics for each individual computing device, and/or thelike. The performance metrics can comprise performance metrics for thelogical grouping of computing devices as a whole, statisticalperformance metrics for the logical grouping of computing devices as awhole, historical performance metrics for the logical grouping ofcomputing devices as a whole, combinations thereof, and the like. As anexample, when a particular performance metric has exceeded a predefinedthreshold, a computing device (e.g., computing device 404 a) can provide(e.g., send, transmit, publish) the respective performance metric (e.g.,number of active communication requests in processing, utilizationstatus of CPU, utilization status of a RAM, error messages, etc.) andrelated data (e.g. computing device MAC address) to the communicationmanagement system 405. The communication management system 405 can thenupdate the database 414 associated with the communication processingsystem 403. For example, database 414 can be updated when a computingdevice (e.g., computing device 404 a) is moved from a list of devicesavailable for processing a communication request, to a list of devicesnot available for routing a communication request.

As an example, the communication management system 405 can receiveperformance metrics of a computing device (e.g., computing device 404 a)by a poll request. Specifically, the communication management system 405can execute a poll request to the computing device 404 a. The computingdevice 404 a can hold the request until a performance threshold has beenexceeded. When a performance metric exceeds the performance threshold,the computing device 404 a can respond to the poll request of thecommunication management system 405 by sending the performance metric ofthe computing device 404 a to the communication management system 405.

In an aspect, the logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d canprocess a communication request from a public or private network (e.g.,network 406) and transmit the request to another public or privatenetwork, for example, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 407. Acommunication session can be established when the communication requestis transmitted from the user device (e.g., user device 402 a) to adestination user device (not shown) in a public or private network, suchas a PSTN network 407. After the communication request is processedand/or routed by a computing device (e.g., computing device 404 a), theperformance metrics (e.g., number of active communication requests inprocessing, utilization status of CPU, utilization status of a RAM,etc.) of the computing device (e.g., computing device 404 a) can beupdated. For example, the updated performance metrics can indicate thatthe computing device (e.g., computing device 404 a) has more resourcesto process and/or route a new communication request.

In an aspect, the logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d canbe associated with respective databases 413 a,b,c,d. As an example, thedatabases 413 a,b,c,d can comprise performance metrics and performancethresholds associated with respective computing devices 404 a,b,c,d. Forexample, performance metrics can comprise utilization of CPU, RAM, diskspace, total communication sessions in processing, calls per second(CPS), error messages (e.g., Layer 2 errors, Layer 3 errors), and thelike. Other performance metrics can be included according to a specificnetwork or system. As another example, the performance thresholds can bea trigger point as to when a computing device can be classified asavailable for processing a communication request, available for routinga communication request to a computing device available for processingthe communication request, or not available for processing or routing acommunication request. In an aspect, the communication management system405 can monitor the information stored in databases 413 a,b,c,d, andupdate the database 414 associated with the communication processingsystem 403, so that the communication processing system 403 can haveupdated knowledge of one or more performance capabilities of the logicalgrouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d. In an aspect, the database414 can be internal or external to the communication processing system403, similarly, the databases 413 a,b,c,d can be internal or external tothe respective computing devices 404 a,b,c,d. In an aspect, databases413 a,b,c,d, and 414 can be deployed in a redundant fashion.

In an aspect, a computing device of the logical grouping of computingdevices (e.g., computing device 404 a) can access performance metrics ofother computing devices (e.g., computing device 404 b,c,d) viacommunication with the communication management system 405. As anexample, performance metrics of the logical grouping of computingdevices 404 a,b,c,d can be shared on a regular basis (e.g., on aheartbeat).

In an aspect, once a computing device (e.g., computing device 404 a)receives a communication request from the communication processingsystem 403, the computing device can become an active computing device.In an aspect, the active computing device can determine one or morecomputing devices to route the communication request via evaluating oneor more performance capabilities of the plurality of computing devices(e.g., computing devices 404 b,c,d) within the network 406. In anaspect, a computing device can have access to routers, communicationsession (e.g., SIP) manipulation rules, and session description protocol(SDP) manipulation rules and other information necessary to process androuting a communication request.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary environment in which the presentmethods and systems can operate. In an aspect, an example system canhave a first logical grouping of computing devices (e.g., computingdevices 404 a,b,c,d) connected via the network 406 a at location A, asecond logical grouping of computing devices (e.g., computing devices404 e,f,g,h) connected via the network 406 b at location B, acommunication processing systems 403, a communication management systems405 a corresponding to the first logical grouping of computing devices404 a,b,c,d, and a communication management systems 405 a correspondingto the second logical grouping of devices 404 e,f,g,h. Specifically, thecommunication management system 405 a can be configured to receive theperformance metrics of the first logical grouping of computing devices404 a,b,c,d, and the communication management system 405 b can beconfigured to receive the performance metrics of the second logicalgrouping of computing devices 404 e,f,g,h.

In an aspect, the communication management system 405 a can beconfigured to receive the performance metrics of the first logicalgrouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d. The communication managementsystem 405 b can be configured to receive the performance metrics of thesecond logical grouping of computing devices 404 e,f,g,h. Thecommunication management systems 405 a and 405 b can update the database414 of the communication processing system 403 with the performancemetrics of the first logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,dand the performance metrics of the second logical grouping of computingdevices 404 e,f,g,h. Accordingly, the performance status of the firstlogical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d and the performancestatus of the second logical grouping of computing devices 404 e,f,g,hcan be updated. As an example, the database 414 of the communicationprocessing system 403 can comprise a list of computing devices availablefor processing the communication request, a list of computing devicesavailable for routing the communication request to a computing deviceavailable for accepting a communication request, and a list of computingdevices not available for processing or routing a communication request.

In an aspect, the first logical grouping of computing devices 404a,b,c,d and the second logical grouping of computing devices 404 e,f,g,hcan be configured to share an address (e.g., an IP address). As anexample, sharing one IP address by a plurality of computing devices canbe achieved by border gateway protocol (BGP) and autonomous systems (AS)path. In an aspect, the communication processing system 403 can beconfigured to receive an inbound IP communication request from a userdevice 402. The communication processing system 403 can then remove anIP header in the inbound IP communication request and forward a datapacket in the inbound IP communication request (e.g., Ethernet packet)to an appropriate port of a communication management system (e.g.,communication management system 405 a, 405 b) according to one or moreperformance capabilities (e.g., availability) of the plurality ofcomputing devices (e.g., computing device 404 a) connected to thecommunication management system (e.g., 405 a, 405 b). In an alternateembodiment, the first logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,dand the second logical grouping of computing devices 404 e,f,g,h can beconfigured to use separate addresses (e.g., IP addresses)

In an aspect, a logical grouping of computing devices (a cluster) can beconfigured as a primary cluster for a user device. As an example, thelogical grouping of computing devices closest to the user device can beconfigured as the primary cluster. In an aspect, another logicalgrouping of computing devices can be configured as a secondary clusterfor the user device when the primary cluster is not available.Accordingly, user device can transmit a communication request to aprimary cluster by sending a communication request directed to anaddress (e.g., IP address) of the primary cluster. If the primarycluster is not available, the communication request can be transferredto a second cluster that shares the address (e.g., IP address) with thefirst cluster.

In an aspect, the communication processing system 403 can be used todetermine a geographical location of a logical grouping of computingdevices. For example, the communication processing system 403 canidentify the location of the communication requestor (e.g., user device402 a) and determine a cluster closest to the user device (e.g., aprimary cluster). As another example, the communication processingsystem 403 can determine a cluster with the most available performancecapacity. Accordingly, the communication processing system 403 cantransmit the communication request a determined cluster to furtherprocess the communication request.

In an aspect, the communication management system 405 a and thecommunication management system 405 b can exchange heartbeat informationwith each other. The exchanged information can keep track of the statusof the respective logical groupings of computing devices (clusters), andtherefore determine a cluster to receive a communication request forload balancing (e.g., inter-cluster load balancing). In another aspect,the communication management system 405 a and the communicationmanagement system 405 b can determine at least one computing devicewithin the respective cluster to transmit the communication request forload balancing (e.g., intra-cluster load balancing).

FIG. 6 illustrates various aspects of an exemplary environment in whichthe present methods and systems can operate. The network and system cancomprise a user device 402, a communication processing system 403, acomputing device 404 (such as a call communication processing server),and a communication management system 405. As an example, the userdevice 402 and the communication processing system 403 can be incommunication via a private and/or public network, such as the Internetor a local area network. Other forms of communications can be used, suchas wired and wireless telecommunication channels, for example, 1X, 3G,4G, 4G LTE network. In an aspect, the communication processing system403, the computing device 404 and/or the communication management system405 can be configured as (or disposed at) a central location (e.g., aheadend, or processing facility), which can receive content (e.g., data,input programming) from multiple sources.

In an aspect, the user device 402 can comprise an electronic device,such as a computer, a telephone, a VoIP phone, a smartphone, a laptop, atablet, a set top box, a display device, or other device configured forcommunicating with the communication processing system 403. As anexample, the user device 402 can comprise a communication element 408for providing an interface to a user to interact with the user device102. The communication element 408 can be any interface for presentingand/or receiving information to/from the user, such as user feedback. Anexample interface may be communication interface, such as a web browser(e.g., Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, or thelike). Other software, hardware, and/or interfaces can be used toprovide communication between the user and one or more of the userdevice 402 and the communication processing system 403. As an example,the communication element 408 can request or query various files and/orservices from a local source and/or a remote source. As a furtherexample, the communication element 408 can transmit data to a local orremote device, such as the communication processing system 403.

In an aspect, the user device 402 can transmit a communication requestthrough a communication element 408. For example, the communicationelement 408 can provide an interface to a user to interact with the userdevice 402, the communication processing system 403, and/or thecomputing device 404. The communication element 408 can communicate withthe communication processing system 403 synchronously or asynchronouslyover standard Internet protocols, such as hypertext transfer protocol(HTTP), session initiation protocol (SIP), media gateway controlprotocol (MGCP), border gateway protocol (BGP), real-time transportprotocol (RTP), session description protocol, multiprotocol labelswitching (MPLS), open shortest path first protocol, inter-asteriskexchange (IAX), jingle XMPP VoIP extensions, one or more of the ofprotocols of the H.323 standard, and/or the like.

In an aspect, the user device 402 can be associated with a useridentifier or device identifier 409. As an example, the deviceidentifier 409 can be any identifier, token, character, string, or thelike, for differentiating one user or user device (e.g., user device402) from another user or user device. In a further aspect, the deviceidentifier 409 can identify a user or user device as belonging to aparticular class of users or user devices. As a further example, thedevice identifier 409 can comprise information relating to the userdevice, such as a manufacturer, a model or type of device, a serviceprovider associated with the user device 402, a state of the user device402, a locator, and/or a label or classifier. Other information can berepresented by the device identifier 409. As an example, the user device402 can be notified of a request for communication session by its deviceidentifier 409.

In an aspect, the device identifier 409 can comprise an address element410 and a service element 411. In an aspect, the address element 410 cancomprise or provide an internet protocol address, a network address, amedia access control (MAC) address, an Internet address, a telephonenumber, or the like. As an example, the address element 410 can berelied upon to establish a communication session between the user device402 and the computing device 404 or other devices and/or networks. As afurther example, the address element 410 can be used as an identifier orlocator of the user device 402. In an aspect, the address element 410can be persistent for a particular network. As an example, the userdevice 402 can be notified of a request for communication session by itsaddress element 410.

In an aspect, the service element 411 can associate the deviceidentifier 409 and/or address element 410 with a user and/or telephonenumbers linked with the user. As an example, the user can be identifiedby user name, user account, and the like. As such, when the computingdevice 404 receives a request for a communication session with a user ortelephone numbers linked with the user, some or all the user devicesassociated with the user or telephone numbers linked with the user canbe notified simultaneously.

The service element 411 can comprise an identification of a serviceprovider associated with the user device 402 and/or with the class ofuser device 402. The class of the user device 402 can be related to atype of device, capability of device, type of service being provided,and/or a level of service (e.g., business class, service tier, servicepackage, etc.). As an example, the service element 411 can compriseinformation relating to or provided by a communication service provider(e.g., Internet service provider) that is providing or enabling dataflow such as communication services to the user device 402. As a furtherexample, the service element 411 can comprise information relating to apreferred service provider for one or more particular services relatingto the user device 402. In an aspect, the address element 410 can beused to identify or retrieve data from the service element 411, or viceversa. As a further example, one or more of the address element 410 andthe service element 411 can be stored remotely from the user device 402and retrieved by one or more devices, such as the user device 402 andthe computing device 404. Other information can be represented by theservice element 411.

In an aspect, the computing device 404 can be a server for communicatingwith the user device 402. As an example, the computing device 404 canprocess, route a communication request from the user device 402. As anexample, the computing device 404 can provide services, such as voicecommunications, network (e.g., Internet) connectivity, network printing,media management (e.g., media server), content services, streamingservices, broadband services, or other network-related services. In anaspect, the computing device 404 can allow the user device 402 tointeract with remote resources, such as data, devices and files. Forexample, the computing device 404 can receive an incoming communicationrequest from a user device on another network. For example, thecomputing device 404 can manage communication between the user device402 and one or more other user devices (not shown). In an aspect, theone or more other user devices can be the same type of device as theuser device 402, such as a computer, a telephone, a VoIP phone, asmartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile device, or other deviceconfigured for communicating with the computing device 404.

In an aspect, the communication processing system 403 can manage thecommunication between the user device 402 and the computing device 404via a database 414. As an example, the database 414 can store aplurality of files, user identifiers or records, or other information.For example, the database 414 can comprise a list of computing devicesavailable for processing the communication request from the user device402. As another example, the database 414 can comprise a list ofcomputing devices available for routing the communication request to acomputing device available for processing the communication request. Thedatabase 414 can be disposed remotely from the communication processingsystem 103, and accessed via direct or indirect connection. The database413 can be integrated with the communication processing system 403 orsome other device or system.

In an aspect, the computing device 404 can be associated with thedatabase 413. As an example, the database 414 can store informationrelating to the user device 402, such as the address element 410 and/orthe service element 411. As an example, the computing device 404 canobtain the device identifier 409 from the user device 402 and retrieveinformation from the database 413, such as the address element 410and/or the service elements 411. As a further example, the computingdevice 404 can obtain the address element 410 from the user device 402and can retrieve the service element 411 from the database 413, or viceversa. As another example, the database 413 can comprise performancemetrics 412. Any information can be stored in and retrieved from thedatabase 413. The database 413 can be disposed remotely from thecomputing device 404 and accessed via direct or indirect connection. Thedatabase 413 can be integrated with the computing system 404 or someother device or system.

In an aspect, communication management system 405 can be configured tomonitor the performance of the computing device 404. The communicationmanagement system 405 can comprise a performance database 415 and athreshold database 416. For example, the performance database 115 cancomprise performance metrics of the computing device 404. Theperformance metrics can refer to one or more of, a CPU status, a RAMstatus, a storage space status, number of active communication sessions,error messages associated with the computing device 404, and the like.The threshold database 416 can comprise predefined values forperformance metrics stored in performance database 415. Thecommunication management system 405 can update database 414 of thecommunication processing system 403 based on performance metrics storedin performance database 415 and the performance threshold stored inthreshold database 416.

In an aspect, the communication processing system 403, computing device404 and the communication system 405 can be implemented as separatenetwork entities or reside in a common location. In the latter case, thecommunications among the communication processing system 403, thecommunication management system 405 and computing device 404 can beperformed by way of internal functionality. For example, thecommunication can be made by sending internal messages, communicatingvia one or more communication protocols between devices through directlinks, and the like.

As an example, the computing device 404 can include a publicationelement 417 to create an appropriate publication message upon theperformance metrics of the computer device 404 exceeding a predefinedperformance threshold (e.g., CPU utilization has exceeded 70% of fullcapacity, number of active communication request has exceeded 20, RAMutilization has exceeded 80% of full capacity, etc.). The publicationmessage can be provided to communication management system 405. In turn,the communication management system 405 can notify the presentperformance metrics to the communication processing system 403, and thedatabase 414 can be updated accordingly.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 700. At step 702,a communication request directed to an address can be received. Thecommunication request can comprise one or more of: an internet telephonecall, a multimedia distribution, a multimedia conference, apresentation, and the like. In an aspect, the communication processingsystem 403 can receive a communication request from a user device (e.g.,user device 402). As an example, the user device can comprise acomputer, a telephone, a VoIP phone, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, amobile device, and/or the like. In an aspect, the communication requestcan be directed to an address (e.g., IP address), wherein the address isshared among a logical grouping of computing devices (e.g., firstlogical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d). In an aspect, eachcomputing device of the first logical grouping of computing devices isassociated with a respective device identifier, for example, mediaaccess control (MAC) addresses. The logical grouping of computingdevices 404 a,b,c,d can operate as servers, a gateway nodes, datamanagement units, and/or the like. In an aspect, the first logicalgrouping of computing devices can be configured to be the primarycluster to process a communication request from the user device 420.Examples of a communication request can be a voice call, a video call,video conferencing, streaming multimedia distribution, instantmessaging, presence information, file transfer, fax over IP, and thelike.

At step 704, one or more performance capabilities of a first logicalgrouping of computing devices can be determined. For example, the one ormore performance capabilities can be determined by determining one ormore performance metrics of the first logical grouping of computingdevices. Performance metrics can comprise one or more of utilizationstatus of a central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a storage space, anumber of active communication requests in process, and an errormessage. The communication request can be received via a sessioninitiation protocol (SIP). The communication request can be associatedwith a communication session identifier. In an aspect, the communicationprocessing system 403 can determine one or more performance capabilitiesof the first logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d viacommunication with the communication management system 405. For example,the communication management system 405 can receive one or moreperformance metrics of the first logical grouping of computing devices,and compare the one or more performance metrics with a predefinedperformance threshold stored in database 414. The communicationmanagement system 405 can communicate with the communication processingsystem 403 to update one or more performance capabilities of the firstlogical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d. For example, when aperformance threshold is exceeded, one or more performance capabilitiesof a computing device can be changed from one category to anothercategory. For example, a list of computing devices can be categorized asavailable for processing the communication request, a list of computingdevices can be categorized as available for routing the communicationrequest to a computing device available for processing the communicationrequest, and a list of computing devices can be categorized as notavailable for processing or routing the communication request.

At step 706, it can be determined whether at least one computing deviceof the first logical grouping of computing devices can receive thecommunication request, based on the determined one or more performancecapabilities. In an aspect, if at least one computing device of thefirst logical grouping of computing devices can receive thecommunication request, the communication request can be transmitted tothe at least one computing device of the first logical grouping ofcomputing devices at step 708. If at least one computing device of thefirst logical grouping of computing devices cannot receive thecommunication request, the communication request can be transmitted to asecond logical grouping of computing devices that share the address atstep 710. In an aspect, the second logical grouping of computing devicesdoes not share the address. In an aspect, determining whether at leastone computing device of the first logical grouping of computing devicescan receive the communication request can comprise determining a list ofcomputing devices available for processing the communication request,determining a list of computing devices available for routing thecommunication request to a computing device available for processing thecommunication request, determining a list of computing devices notavailable for processing or routing the communication request, acombination thereof, and the like. In an aspect, the first logicalgrouping of computing devices can be located at a first geographicallocation, and the second logical grouping of computing devices can belocated at a second geographical location.

FIG. 8 is another flow chart illustrating an example method 800. At step802, a communication request directed to an address can be received. Thecommunication request can comprise one or more of: an internet telephonecall, a multimedia distribution, a multimedia conference, and apresentation. The communication request can be received via a sessioninitiation protocol (SIP). The communication request is associated witha communication session identifier. In an aspect, a user device 402 cantransmit the communication request to a communication processing system403 to an address (e.g., an IP address). The communication processingsystem 403 can determine a computing device (e.g., computing device 404a) in a first logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d thatshare the address. For example, the computing device 404 a that receivesthe communication request can become an active computing device. As anexample, the user device 402 can be a computer, a telephone, a VoIPphone, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile device, and/or thelike. In an aspect, the first logical grouping of computing devices 404a,b,c,d can operate as servers, gateway nodes, data management units,and/or the like. Examples of a communication request can be a voicecall, a video call, video conferencing, streaming multimediadistribution, instant messaging, presence information, file transfer,fax over IP, and the like.

At step 804, one or more performance capabilities of a first logicalgrouping of computing devices can be determined, wherein the firstlogical grouping of computing devices share the address, and whereineach computing device of the first logical grouping of computing devicesis associated a respective device identifier. Determining one or moreperformance capabilities of a first logical grouping of computingdevices can comprise determining one or more performance metrics of thefirst logical grouping of computing devices. In an aspect, theperformance metrics can comprise one or more of utilization status of acentral processing unit (CPU), a memory, a storage space, a number ofactive communication requests in processing, and an error message. Thedevice identifiers can comprise media access control (MAC) addresses.Determining one or more performance capabilities of a first logicalgrouping of computing devices can comprise communicating with acommunication management system, wherein the communication managementsystem is configured to receive the one or more performance metrics ofthe first logical grouping of computing devices. In an aspect, theactive computing device 404 a can determine one or more performancecapabilities of the first logical grouping of computing devices. Forexample, one or more performance metrics of the first logical groupingof computing devices 404 a,b,c,d can be exchanged on a regular basis(e.g., on a heartbeat). The exchanged information can be stored in thedatabases 413 a,b,c,d associated with the respective computing devices404 a,b,c,d. The active computing device 404 a can receive informationstored in the databases 413 a,b,c,d. The one or more performance metricscan be compared with the performance thresholds. When a performancethreshold is exceeded, one or more performance capabilities of acomputing device can be change from one category to another category.For example, a list of computing devices can be categorized as availablefor processing the communication request, a list of computing devicescan be categorized as available for routing the communication request toa computing device available for processing the communication request,and a list of computing devices can be categorized as not available forprocessing or routing the communication request.

At step 806, the method can determine at least one computing device ofthe first logical grouping of computing devices to receive thecommunication request based on the determined one or more performancecapabilities. For example, the active computing device 404 a can have alist of computing devices available for processing the communicationrequest, a list of computing devices available for routing thecommunication request to a computing device available for processing thecommunication request, and a list of computing devices not available forprocessing or routing the communication request. For example, at leastone computing device available for processing the communication request(e.g., 404 b) can be determined to receive the communication request.

At step 808, the communication request can be transmitted to thedetermined at least one computing device according to the respectivedevice identifier of the determined at least one computing device. Forexample, the first logical grouping of computing devices 404 a,b,c,d canbe associated with respective device identifiers such as a media accesscontrol (MAC) address. Therefore, the communication request can betransmitted to the at least one computing device determined at step 806according to the respective MAC address. Accordingly, the at least onecomputing device that receives the communication request (e.g., 404 b)can become an active computing device. The active computing device 404 bcan determine a next computing device to process or route thecommunication. Therefore, the communication can be routed and/orprocessed from one computing device to another computing device untilthe communication request can be transmitted to its destination.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary operatingenvironment for performing the disclosed methods. In an exemplaryaspect, the methods and systems of the present disclosure can beimplemented on computer 901 as illustrated in FIG. 9 and describedbelow. By way of example, user device 402 or computing devices 404a,b,c,d in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 can be computer 901 as illustrated in FIG.9. Similarly, the methods and systems disclosed can utilize one or morecomputing devices to perform one or more functions in one or morelocations. This exemplary operating environment is only an example of anoperating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation asto the scope of use or functionality of operating environmentarchitecture. Neither should the operating environment be interpreted ashaving any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combinationof components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment.

The present methods and systems can be operational with numerous othergeneral purpose or special purpose computing system environments orconfigurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments,and/or configurations that can be suitable for use with the systems andmethods comprise, but are not limited to, personal computers, servercomputers, laptop devices, and multiprocessor systems. Additionalexamples comprise set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computingenvironments that comprise any of the above systems or devices, and thelike.

The processing of the disclosed methods and systems can be performed bysoftware components. The disclosed systems and methods can be describedin the general context of computer-executable instructions, such asprogram modules, being executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules comprise computer code, routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thedisclosed methods can also be practiced in grid-based and distributedcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed computing environment, program modules can be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Further, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the systems andmethods disclosed herein can be implemented via a general-purposecomputing device in the form of a computer 901. The components of thecomputer 901 can comprise, but are not limited to, one or moreprocessors 903, a system memory 912, and a system bus 913 that couplesvarious system components including the processor 903 to the systemmemory 912. In the case of multiple processors 903, the system canutilize parallel computing.

The system bus 913 represents one or more of several possible types ofbus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or localbus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, sucharchitectures can comprise an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, an Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, aVideo Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, an AcceleratedGraphics Port (AGP) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI),a PCI-Express bus, a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association(PCMCIA), Universal Serial Bus (USB) and the like. The bus 913, and allbuses specified in this description can also be implemented over a wiredor wireless network connection and each of the subsystems, including theprocessor 903, a mass storage device 904, an operating system 905,communication session software 906, communication session data 907, anetwork adapter 908, system memory 912, an Input/Output Interface 910, adisplay adapter 909, a display device 911, and a human machine interface902, can be contained within one or more remote computing devices 914a,b,c at physically separate locations, connected through buses of thisform, in effect implementing a fully distributed system.

The computer 901 typically comprises a variety of computer readablemedia. Exemplary readable media can be any available media that isaccessible by the computer 901 and comprises, for example and not meantto be limiting, both volatile and non-volatile media, removable andnon-removable media. The system memory 912 comprises computer readablemedia in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory(RAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM). Thesystem memory 912 typically contains data, such as communication sessiondata 907, and/or program modules, such as operating system 905 andcommunication session software 906, that are immediately accessible toand/or are presently operated on by the processor 903.

In another aspect, the computer 901 can also comprise otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media.By way of example, FIG. 9 illustrates a mass storage device 904 whichcan provide non-volatile storage of computer code, computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for thecomputer 901. For example and not meant to be limiting, a mass storagedevice 904 can be a hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a removableoptical disk, magnetic cassettes or other magnetic storage devices,flash memory cards, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical storage, random access memories (RAM), read only memories (ROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and thelike.

Optionally, any number of program modules can be stored on the massstorage device 904, including by way of example, an operating system 905and communication session software 906. Each of the operating system 905and communication session software 906 (or some combination thereof) cancomprise elements of the programming and the communication sessionsoftware 906. Communication session data 907 can also be stored on themass storage device 904. Communication session data 907 can be stored inany of one or more databases known in the art. Examples of suchdatabases comprise, DB2®, Microsoft® Access, Microsoft® SQL Server,Oracle®, mySQL, PostgreSQL, and the like. The databases can becentralized or distributed across multiple systems.

In another aspect, the user can enter commands and information into thecomputer 901 via an input device (not shown). Examples of such inputdevices comprise, but are not limited to, a keyboard, pointing device(e.g., a “mouse”), a microphone, a joystick, a scanner, tactile inputdevices, such as gloves, and other body coverings, and the like Theseand other input devices can be connected to the processor 903 via ahuman machine interface 902 that is coupled to the system bus 913, butcan be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as aparallel port, game port, an IEEE 1394 Port (also known as a Firewireport), a serial port, or a universal serial bus (USB).

In yet another aspect, a display device 911 can also be connected to thesystem bus 913 via an interface, such as a display adapter 909. It iscontemplated that the computer 901 can have more than one displayadapter 909 and the computer 901 can have more than one display device911. For example, a display device can be a monitor, an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display), or a projector. In addition to the display device 911,other output peripheral devices can comprise components, such asspeakers (not shown) and a printer (not shown) which can be connected tothe computer 901 via Input/Output Interface 910. Any step and/or resultof the methods can be output in any form to an output device. Suchoutput can be any form of visual representation, including, but notlimited to, textual, graphical, animation, audio, tactile, and the like.The display 911 and computer 901 can be part of one device, or separatedevices.

The computer 901 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computing devices 914 a,b,c. By way ofexample, a remote computing device can be a personal computer, portablecomputer, smartphone, a server, a router, a network computer, a peerdevice or other common network node, and so on. Logical connectionsbetween the computer 901 and a remote computing device 914 a,b,c can bemade via a network 915, such as a local area network (LAN) and/or ageneral wide area network (WAN). Such network connections can be througha network adapter 908. A network adapter 908 can be implemented in bothwired and wireless environments. Such networking environments areconventional and commonplace in dwellings, offices, enterprise-widecomputer networks, intranets, and the Internet.

For purposes of illustration, application programs and other executableprogram components, such as the operating system 905 are illustratedherein as discrete blocks, although it is recognized that such programsand components reside at various times in different storage componentsof the computing device 901, and are executed by the data processor(s)of the computer. An implementation of communication session software 906can be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer readablemedia. Any of the disclosed methods can be performed by computerreadable instructions embodied on computer readable media. Computerreadable media can be any available media that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example and not meant to be limiting, computerreadable media can comprise “computer storage media” and “communicationsmedia.” “Computer storage media” comprise volatile and non-volatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any methods ortechnology for storage of information, such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Exemplarycomputer storage media comprises, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium which can be used to store the desired informationand which can be accessed by a computer.

The methods and systems can employ artificial intelligence techniques,such as machine learning and iterative learning. Examples of suchtechniques include, but are not limited to, expert systems, case basedreasoning, Bayesian networks, behavior based AI, neural networks, fuzzysystems, evolutionary computation (e.g. genetic algorithms), swarmintelligence (e.g. ant algorithms), and hybrid intelligent systems (e.g.Expert inference rules generated through a neural network or productionrules from statistical learning).

While the methods and systems have been described in connection withpreferred embodiments and specific examples, it is not intended that thescope be limited to the particular embodiments set forth, as theembodiments herein are intended in all respects to be illustrativerather than restrictive.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that anymethod set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps beperformed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim doesnot actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is nototherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that thesteps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended thatan order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possiblenon-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic withrespect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaningderived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or typeof embodiments described in the specification.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made without departing from thescope or spirit. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from consideration of the specification and practice disclosedherein. It is intended that the specification and examples be consideredas exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a communicationrequest directed to an address; determining one or more performancecapabilities of a first logical grouping of computing devices, whereinthe first logical grouping of computing devices share the address;determining whether at least one computing device of the first logicalgrouping of computing devices can receive the communication requestbased on the determined one or more performance capabilities; if atleast one computing device of the first logical grouping of computingdevices can receive the communication request, transmitting thecommunication request to the at least one computing device of the firstlogical grouping of computing devices; and if no computing device of thefirst logical grouping of computing devices can receive thecommunication request, transmitting the communication request to asecond logical grouping of computing devices that share the address.